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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 1, 2002)
2 DECEMBER 1, 2002 Smoke Signals IMlitai lSHHU!lEl!FtiWY Dear Editor and people of Grand Ronde, On October 29, 2002, a new sweat lodge was constructed at the Cultural site. It was with great love and joy to participate in this project. I have been praying at this site for over a year. In May of this year, I have made a faithful effort to devote every Saturday to the Lodge. The diversity of people has been inspirational. The diversity has allowed each persons unique gifts from the Creator to be shared in the most humble and loving ways. I am proud that my children have learned songs in many languages, they have heard prayers in many languages. They have prayed in times of joy and sorrow, sick ness and passing, for healing and helping. They pray to "Thank the Cre ator for Loving us ALL." I wish to thank the Creator first, the people of Grand Ronde, for this beautiful site. I wish to thank Michael "Standing Elk" Reibach for bring ing me here. I wish to thank Bobby Mercier, Jan Michael Reibach, Lenny, Bill Moorland, Sonny, and Bobby Bear Claw for all their hard work and time. To their families every blessing the Creator can give. Our children helped cut the willow for this Lodge. They worked very hard. It was an honor to teach them to pray to the willow, the water, the stones and the fire. To these children I give thanks for their prayers and beautiful energy. Thank you, Shane Reibach, 8, Josh Kneeland, 13, Todd Pitman, 13, Cathy Slonecker, 7 and Carly Slonecker, 7. With Greatest Respect and Love, Sue Slonecker Dear Brent and Ron, Thanks for including me in that working artists feature. I think you did a great job of reminding people there is a serious art tradition in American and locally among Native Americans. I was certainly honored to be in cluded in the piece with so many distinguished artists and collectors. I have always felt a great kinship with Native Americans and in my heart always admired Sitting Bull more than Kit Carsen. Keep up the good work. I particularly liked the way you portrayed me. Ken McCormack Dear Editor, I have recently completed a survey of the Health & Wellness Center services, but prefer to write my comments here. I can remember the years without medical or dental insurance for many of the members of this com munity prior to Tribal Restoration. As we celebrate 19 years of being a restored Tribe, I know that many of the services provided by the Health & Wellness Center have changed my physical and spiritual being. I am so greatful for the medical clinic. My illness's have been treated by caring professionals and I have received direct care and follow-up by the clinic staff. I have to thank the pharmacy staff for their extra effort in filling my prescriptions and staying until 6 p.m. to fill my prescription on two occasions. I always receive friendly and informative service. The physical medicine that is available has been a blessing. Good job to all of their team. The Dental group's hard work provides a healthy smile for the coward in me. Thank-you Dental group. I have used the Behavioral group while my mom was dying, their program was such a comfort. The talking circle I attended re-enforced my commitment to stay sober, and helped me focus on my mom, the person, not the illness. As I celebrate my 10th sober anniversary, I thank NARA and the Grand Ronde A & D staff for all the help and encouragement that was given to me and my family. I'm grateful for the sweat lodges in the community and all staff members behind the scenes for making it possible for folks like me to live a healthier life. May the Creator bless you all. Margo Mercier Roll 885 Dear Peta TindaBrent Merrill, Congratulations on being part of the Grand Ronde Tribe's Annual Con test Pow-wow. I received the Smoke Signals newspaper showing some of the fantastic photos you both took of the pow-wow. Being a part of the Native American traditional spiritual group here in this area, I often share the paper with everyone. There was a thought of trying to laminate the pow-wow pictures in the paper, but it didn't work, there was hope to place them on our bulletin board here for all to share. The Smoke Signals coverage of the pow-wow was indeed fantastic and greatly appreciated by those of us down here living in this part of the country. Daniel "Raymond" Caldwell Buena Vista, Colorado IN THE TRIBAL COURT FOR THE CONFEDERATED TRIBES OF THE GRAND RONDE COMMUNITY OF OREGON Case No.: C-02-11-001 That the name of the Petitioner be changed from Jill MaireRyan to Jillian Marie Carson : Petitioner in such form as to indicate that his name is Jillian Marie Carson. Dated this 19th day of November . 2002. Gasman. 1 Work on the Tribes new 36-unit family housing complex continues ahead of schedule. It is expected to be complete in June 2003, three months sooner than originally planned. mm PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE 9615 Grand Ronde Road, Grand Ronde, OR 97347 1-800-422-0232 FAX: 503-879-2173 DEADLINE DATE ISSUE DATE Thurs., Dec. 5 DEC. 15 Mon., Dec. 16 JAN. 1 New Deadline Schedule For 2003 Coming December 15 Issue f Printed on recycled paper. SMOKE SIGNALS ONLINE: www.grandronde.org 4 - f 1 ffff PETATINDA FREELANCE JOURNALIST 503-879-1416 peta.tindagrandronde.org BRENT MERRILL PUBLIC INFORMATION COORDINATOREDITOR 503-879-2321 brent.merrillgrandronde.org JUSTIN PHILLIPS PRODUCTION SPECIALIST 503-879-2190 justin.phillipsgrandronde.org WILLIAM MERCIER PRODUCTION TECHNICIAN 503-879-2254 willie.merciergrandronde.org RON KARTEN PRODUCTION ASSISTANT 503-879-4663 ron.kartengrandronde.org DIANA ROBERTSON NEWS ASSISTANT 503-879-1453 diana.robertsongrandronde.org SMOKE SIGNALS, a publication of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Commu nity of Oregon, is published twice a month. No portion of this publication may be reprinted without permission. Our editorial policy is intended to encourage input from Tribal members and readers about stories printed in the Tribal newspaper. However, all letters received must be signed by the author, an address must be given and a phone number or email address must be included for verification purposes. Full addresses and phone numbers will not be published unless re quested. SMOKE SIGNALS reserves the right to edit letters and to refuse letters that are deter mined to contain libelous statements or personal attacks on individuals, staff, Tribal administra tion or Tribal Council. Not all letters are guaranteed publication upon submission. Letters to the editor are the opinions and views of the writer. Published letters do not necessarily reflect the opinions of SMOKE SIGNALS, Tribal staff, Tribal administration or Tribal Council. fe:rrjj Members of: I Native American Journalist Association I The Associated Press